Chapter Thirteen

Sarah stood rooted to the spot, her mind whirling like a storm. Adrian's words echoed in her ears, but she could hardly process them, her thoughts tangled in a mess of fear, guilt, and indecision. Antonio had been dragged away, his life hanging by a thread because of her, because of the deal she had made. And now, Adrian, the devil himself, stood before her, watching her every move like a predator savoring his prey.

She knew she had no time. No time to deliberate or plead. Antonio's screams were already distant, but they reverberated in her chest like a ticking clock. She could feel Adrian's eyes on her, assessing her reaction, perhaps even hoping for a sign of her breaking. It felt like a game—one she didn't know how to win.

"I gave you a chance," Adrian murmured, stepping closer, his voice a low, dangerous melody. "And yet, here you are, standing on the edge of betrayal."

Sarah swallowed hard, her throat dry as sandpaper. "I didn't betray you," she said, the words coming out weaker than she intended. "Antonio made his own choices."

"Did he?" Adrian's tone was laced with mockery, a dark smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I think you underestimate your influence on people, Sarah. Even now, you hold his fate in your hands."

The air between them was thick, charged with an unspoken threat. Sarah could feel it, a tension so palpable it made her skin crawl. Adrian moved closer, his eyes never leaving hers. His presence was suffocating, like a dark shadow that blocked out all light.

"What do you want from me?" Sarah whispered, her voice barely audible.

Adrian's smile deepened, cold and devoid of warmth. "I want your loyalty," he said, his voice a silken whisper. "Undivided. Unquestioning. If you can give me that, you'll have everything you need—your father, your freedom."

"But Antonio—"

"Antonio is irrelevant now," Adrian cut her off, his tone sharp. "He chose his path, and it led him here. To me." His gaze hardened, and for a moment, Sarah saw the darkness that lay beneath the charm. "Make no mistake, Sarah. If you falter now, I'll make sure you suffer the same fate."

Sarah's stomach churned, a wave of nausea rising up as she realized the gravity of the situation. She had been foolish to think she could save everyone. Adrian was a man who thrived on control, on dominance, and the only way to survive in his world was to play by his rules. But the thought of Antonio suffering because of her—because of a deal she never wanted—tore at her insides.

Adrian stepped back slightly, his eyes narrowing as if reading her thoughts. "I don't have to remind you what's at stake, do I?" he asked softly, his voice dripping with menace. "Your father..."

Sarah's heart clenched at the mention of her father. The thought of him, alone and unaware of the deadly game being played, terrified her more than anything else. She had seen what Adrian was capable of. The bodies he left behind as reminders of his power were countless. Would her father be next?

"I'll do whatever you ask," she whispered, her voice shaking, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. "Just... don't hurt him."

Adrian studied her for a long moment, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Then, with a nod, he turned, his back to her now as if the decision had already been made.

"Good," he said, his voice smooth, too calm. "I'll consider this your first real act of loyalty. We'll begin tomorrow."

Sarah felt a weight press against her chest. Tomorrow. It sounded so final, as if everything she knew would change in the blink of an eye. She had sold her soul to the devil, and there was no escaping it now.

But as Adrian made his way toward the door, Sarah couldn't stop the nagging question that burned in her mind. "What will happen to Antonio?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.

Adrian paused at the door, one hand on the knob. He didn't turn to face her, but his response sent a chill down her spine. "That depends on you," he said simply, and then he was gone, leaving Sarah alone in the suffocating silence of the cellar.

Her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor, her heart racing, tears pricking her eyes. She had never felt so trapped, so helpless. Every decision she made seemed to pull her deeper into Adrian's web, and now, with Antonio's life hanging in the balance, the weight of her choices was crushing her.

What if she couldn't save him? What if tomorrow, when Adrian demanded whatever unspeakable thing he had in mind, she failed?